Pages

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

British Veterinary Association: statement re Crufts

The British Veterinary Association today issued a statement expressing concern about some of the decisions made by judges at this year's Crufts - and says it is looking forward to hearing more from the Kennel Club about how it will address the issues.

The statement in full:

"We share the concerns expressed by members of the public regarding some of the decisions made by judges at this year's Crufts. Improving the health and welfare of dogs is a key priority for BVA and its members, and the current debate highlights the importance of responsible breeding to optimise the health and welfare of our dog population.

"The remit of vets at Crufts is to assess the health of the dogs through hands on examinations, while decisions about conformation are the preserve of the judges. We look forward to hearing more from the Kennel Club about how it will work with judges to address existing protocols and the guidelines referred to when making their decisions.

"In their day to day work vets see first-hand the tragic consequences that can result from poor breeding, as owners are faced with serious and avoidable health problems in their new pets. Anybody thinking of getting a dog must make sure that they understand the potential breed-related health problems. If members of the public are keen to purchase a specific breed we would urge that they should only buy from responsible breeders who have carried out the appropriate health tests on the parenys before they are bred from. By collectively taking responsibility when buying a puppy, downloading the AWF/RSPCA puppy contract and using it to ask the right questions, owners can ensure they come home with a happy and healthy pet and help improve the health and welfare of our dog population."

"...I promise and solemnly declare that I will pursue the work of my profession with integrity and accept my responsibilities to the public, my clients, the profession and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and that ABOVE ALL my constant endeavour will be to ensure the health and welfare of animals committed to my care..." How does that statement match the oath with what is known and vets see first hand?

"health and welfare committed to my care" means the animals that are actually brought to the vet for treatment, not "hypothetical animals that my clients may one day buy, even though I'd rather they didn't".

Mealy-mouthed reply that will only fuel owners' suspicions that vets are only in it to make money.If ataxic, stenotic dogs are not a welfare concern, I don't know what is. How they can separate confirmation from health is beyond me.

SUBSCRIBE TO PDE - THE BLOG

Search This Blog

About Me

I grew up with pedigree dogs - English Setters, Great Danes, Labradors and, most recently, Flatcoated Retrievers. Today, I share my home with an assortment of dogs, purebred and mutts. In 2008, I directed Pedigree Dogs Exposed, a BBC documentary which uncovered the extent of health and welfare problems in pedigree dogs. The film has now been shown in more than 20 countries. Campaigning for improved purebred dog health is now a great passion - one fuelled by the fear that those who currently view themselves as the guardians of pedigree dogs are, often unwittingly, the agents of their demise.
My mission, then, is to continue to highlight where things have gone wrong and to encourage breeders and Kennel Clubs to embrace reform - particularly when it comes to harmful phenotypes and inbreeding.